People You Should Get to Know: Doug E. Moore of D Street Designs

Doug E. Moore, owner of D Street Designs.

Get to know Doug E. Moore of D Street Designs in this Q&A edited by the Reno Gazette-Journal:

BACKGROUND

A professional snowboarding career took me to Park City, Utah from 1990 until 2000 when I returned to Reno. While in Utah, I took a jewelry fabrication class at the Kimball Art Center on Main Street in Park City. That was the beginning of the end. Upon returning to Reno, I taught school in the school district for several years and launched Bootleg Courier Co. with a friend, all the while maintaining jewelry design as a hobby. In 2010, I decided to continue my 15-plus year passion of jewelry design and fabrication by making my hobby a full-time career. I began working with Robert Ince of Ince Jewelers, as I began to build the foundation of what would become the launch of D Street Designs in 2011.

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DO

What I do is pure passion. That reason alone is why I do it. I was raised surrounded and immersed in the arts: music, drawing, photography (darkrooms in our home), looms for my mother's weaving - there was always a constant artistic feed. So, when it came to trying my hand at jewelry, it clicked. It just made sense. Jewelry design and fabrication, for me, incorporates nearly every genre of art in each piece: It begins with a photo, then drawings, 3-D images in wax, the final casting in metal and ending with the finishing work. It's an incredible process and I'm beyond passionate about it. I love it, start to finish.

WHAT BROUGHT ME TO RENO OR WHY I STAY IN RENO

I was born and raised in Reno-Tahoe. It's an incredible town. When I moved away, I had countless experiences that took me around the United States, Canada and several trips to Europe. Even after seeing so many beautiful places, nothing quite beats Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas. Subsequently, I returned and have had a blast watching and (hopefully!) aiding in the incredible progression that has taken place here in the last decade.

WHAT I DO TO LEAVE WORK AT THE OFFICE

It's not difficult for me to leave work at the studio. I love the work I do and I also love life on the homefront! I have a wife and four children at home (all under the age of 11!), so there is perpetual fun happening - who wouldn't want to leave work for that? Occasionally, I do need to communicate with clients out of the country, so I'll make late-night phone calls and/or emails, and I'll often work on designs in my sketchbooks, but other than that, when I leave work, I leave work. Legos, Hot Wheels, gymnastics and soccer are way more important!

HOW I GIVE BACK TO MY COMMUNITY

I feel giving back to the community is essential. Without a communal symbiosis, we crumble and progression ceases.

Fortunately, the work I do, believe it or not, gives back to the community: a custom pendant with a grandmother's ashes fused into the metal as a keepsake, a one-of-a-kind wedding band to symbolize a couple's union and love, a tribute to a lost friend or family member. Each piece of jewelry I make is unique and a gift to the community member who commissions me to make that special piece of custom art for them. My clients are involved in the process of creating their jewelry and own all of the love and energy that comes with it. Corporations and big businesses can't offer that to their customers.

Although fulfilling, this sense of giving isn't quite enough. I spend time as an active member of the Creative Coalition of MidTown, I've donated to nonprofits in Truckee and Reno, and most recently my 5-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so now I've been welcomed into a community of others living with T1D, their parents, family, friends and supporters. My family and I have embraced this cause and are active supporters of both the Nevada Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The immediate support, friendship and love that these two organizations offered my family at a time when we desperately needed it will not be forgotten. We will continue to offer whatever we can to help others who are living with this disease and hope to see a cure soon!

BEST BUSINESS BOOK I'VE READ LATELY

I believe one of the best books ever written for a startup is "The Art of the Start" by Guy Kawasaki. It is hands-down essential for the entrepreneur attacking their own startup company. Kawasaki bucks the norm, destroys predisposed, once-necessary "norms," and knocks down the walls of the metaphoric "box."

BEST PLACE IN RENO TO MEET WITH CLIENTS OR COLLEAGUES

There are 3 go-tos for me: D Street Designs at 45 St. Lawrence Ave. If we want a cocktail, I'll take clients next door to Reno Public House. Another favorite spot is Bibo Coffee Co. at the intersection of Sierra Street and California Avenue.

MY LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

Being a one-man army I don't deal with employees, yet. I do, however, work closely with other business owners in the MidTown community through planning many events, etc. My favorite piece of advice, ever, regarding leading others comes from Lao Tzu, stating, "To lead the people, walk behind them." I try to remember this by trusting, delegating and respecting the efforts of others.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Since launching D Street Designs full-time in 2011, I've been amazed and humbled by the "welcome," business and feedback from customers and community - locally, nationally and internationally! Custom order volume has increased steadily, and I was awarded Accessories Designer of the Year by the RAW Artists organization in Reno. That alone was an incredible recognition, which I beyond appreciated, especially after only being in business one year at the time! I was also nominated as a "Director's Highlight" artist in the RAW Artist organization in San Francisco. Truly an honor to participate in such a cool group that offers exposure and promotion for local artists of all mediums!

IF I COULD DO SOMETHING ELSE, I WOULD ...

You know, I'm a firm believer in following dreams and passions, especially in careers, and I've been blessed with the careers and experiences I've had in my life so far. I am fortunate that the risk I took by walking away from a "secure" job and launching my passion has paid off and D Street is growing and will hopefully continue to succeed. I am so grateful to people who are willing to support local artists and small businesses! So, if I could do anything else - I wouldn't.

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People You Should Get to Know: Doug E. Moore of D Street Designs

Get to know Doug E. Moore of D Street Designs in this Q&A edited by the Reno Gazette-Journal:BACKGROUNDA professional snowboarding career took me to Park City, Utah from 1990 until 2000 when I

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